Unease as Court Orders INEC to Deregister Five Political Parties Ahead of 2027 Elections

Abuja, Nigeria – The political landscape in Nigeria may be set for a significant shake-up following a Federal High Court ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the judgment after hearing a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators. The plaintiffs argued that certain political parties had failed to satisfy the minimum electoral performance thresholds prescribed by the Constitution and should therefore be removed from the register of political parties maintained by INEC.

The court specifically ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). According to the judgment, the affected parties allegedly failed to secure the level of electoral success required to justify their continued existence as registered political parties.

Under constitutional provisions governing political parties in Nigeria, a party risks deregistration if it fails to win at least one elective office or achieve stipulated electoral benchmarks during elections. The plaintiffs contended that allowing such parties to remain on the register undermines the integrity and effectiveness of the nation’s multiparty democratic system.

The ruling has generated considerable political debate, particularly because the ADC has emerged as one of the notable opposition platforms ahead of future elections. Reacting to the judgment, ADC officials rejected the court’s decision and indicated their intention to challenge the ruling through the appellate process. Party spokespersons described the judgment as unacceptable and vowed to pursue all available legal remedies.

The case follows months of legal arguments over whether INEC should be compelled to enforce constitutional provisions relating to underperforming political parties. Earlier in the year, the Attorney-General of the Federation reportedly supported the position that parties failing to meet constitutional thresholds should be deregistered.

INEC has yet to issue a comprehensive response indicating how it intends to implement the court’s directive. The electoral body has historically exercised powers to deregister political parties, including the removal of dozens of parties after previous general elections. Such actions have been upheld by the courts on several occasions, including rulings by the Supreme Court affirming INEC’s authority in this regard.

Political analysts believe the judgment could have far-reaching implications for party participation and coalition-building ahead of the next general elections. However, with appeals expected from the affected parties, the final outcome of the matter may ultimately be determined by higher courts.

As the legal battle unfolds, attention will remain focused on INEC and the judiciary, whose decisions are likely to shape the structure of Nigeria’s party system in the lead-up to future electoral contests.